Bagnose

[Bagnose]

*Written in ancient, High Dwarven*
Dwarven honour is no small thing. It is also hard to explain to anyone who does not understand what it means to be a Dwarf. We live underground. We mine and we forge. We love ale, and good food, and fighting; each other or the enemy it makes no difference most times. We hate few things because we believe in beauty foremost, but those things that would seek to destroy it earn our enmity; the Orc, the Goblin, the Dark Elf. We grow up not knowing if we are going to see another season. We trade with the humans and elves and are wary of shady dealings and those who would seek to cheat us out of hard-fought treasures. Honour is paramount for us, even though Dwarf to Dwarf we may differ as individuals, in the end it is about kin, and hearth, clan, and king.
I grew up in the Thunder Peaks. It is a cold and unforgiving mountain range where the riches are beyond counting, but the dangers are always ever-present. My father was one who came and built the great fortress city of Haven amongst those cold peaks, and who served in Castle Coppermine as a foreman and helped it to prosper. Clan McClaggen has never been too large; five or six families at most, but still we held pride that we were good workers, good soldiers, and loyal to our Chief. Times were good in the days of my father.
When I was still a lad who wore a short beard, my father and uncles were killed by Orcs. It was a terrible time for us, as our castle and our lives were ruined by the Horde as it descended through the mountain killing all in its wake. Myself, and my brothers, and some cousins fought until we could fight no more, and then we headed through the ancient tunnels seeking life anew in another land. What we found was glorious and sad all at the same time.
We came to find a little known island of great opportunity, and found King Stonehold in his Hall who ruled over a great dominion. We bonded and pledged our allegiance to him and for many years found great wealth in the mines, and great and epic battles with the monsters and Drow Elf alike. Life was good and we were happy, and clan McClaggen prospered with King Stonehold and his ilk, but it was not forever.
A strange magic over took the island and we saw our fiends vanish right before our eyes, and our Halls empty of laughter. We did not hear the trumpet blow, nor feel the cold winds on our faces as we left the mighty Stonebar, and our enemies vanished, as did our mines. Those of us with wits left fled through the underdark, in tunnels that never saw a Dwarf nor Dark Elf. We spent weeks searching for kin and kith, separated, alone, and lost. A break finally came when we found a surface exit and ended up near the city of Luskan. Foul air and foul tides greeted us as the city was not for Dwarves in its welcome and so staying on the surface we headed south for warmer and friendlier climes. I need not tell you that we found strange happenings n our way to Neverwinter an that it seemed that our world had reversed time itself for events we knew of happening had not yet taken place, and plots and schemes that would set the world on its edge were never yet conceived of. It was as if we had gone back in time.
In the end it was the gnomes who set us straight. Like them or hate them, we found that we related better than most to the gnomes of the undermountain who found and befriended us. They told us that there was a significant Dwarven enclave located in the vicinity of the City state of Baldur's Gate and that we would find not only a warm welcome there, but that we would also have opportunities anew to seek our fortunes and find respite for constant wars, trials, and tribulations. A place we could call home.
The very day I walked through the gates of the City I knew that everything was going to be all right. Standing and haggling with a merchant was Lord Revenark, the Kings warden. His welcome for our clan was as warm and welcoming as any could have been and we have established a base with our kind of old, and newly met in Karrak Helzak. As my kin have heard the message of where we are, they have come straggling in, and welcomed each and everyone to our new home.
The Dwarven Alliance was once great and powerful, and we were held in fear by our enemies, and respect by our allies. As Clanwarden I endeavour to keep kin, kith, and clan safe from harm, and to provide support to the lawful authorities of our realm. Inasmuch as I crave peace I also know that vigilance is the price of that piece and I will serve my time on patrols as much as the next Dwarf. A roaring hearth, good ale, friendship from my kinfolk and a good fight are all I seek now. Perhaps I have found it.

Bagnose McClaggen, Clanwarden of Stonebar